Plot, literature, history : White and Ricoeur

Date
1992
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Proceeding from a detailed exposition and analysis of the literary notion of a plot as found in the work of Aristotle, Russian Formalism, Frye and Kermode, several central features of plots are distinguished. This leads to a working definition of a literary plot as an abstraction from a narrative, laden with significance reflecting an overall unity, so that its elements and characters can be seen to be functions of it. This is followed by an investigation of the arguments by two proponents of the claim for the role of plots in historical writing. The theoretical work of Hayden White serves to advance the argument for a conception of history as a literary work, with specific reference to the role of plots and literary tropes in historical writing, while Ricoeur's case for plots in history is situated within the context of contending scientific and narrativist views on historical knowledge. The adequacy of these two theoretical positions are examined in the concluding chapter.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Uitgaande van 'n gedetailleerde uiteensetting en analise van die literêre begrip van 'n plot soos gevind in die werk van Aristioteles, die Russiese Formalisme, Frye en Kermode, word verskeie sentrale eienskappe van plots onderskei. Dit lei tot 'n werksdefinisie van 'n plot as 'n betekenisvolle abstraksie van 'n narratief, waarin 'n algehele eenheid weerspieël word, sodat die konstituerende elemente en karakters as funksies daarvan gesien kan word. Daarna volg 'n ondersoek na die argumente van twee voorstanders van die aanspraak dat plots 'n rol in geskiedskrywing speel. Die teoretiese werk van Hayden White dien om die argument vir 'n begrip van geskiedenis as 'n literêre werk te steun, met spesifieke verwysing na die rol van plots en literêre trope in geskiedskrywing. Ricoeur se argument vir plots in geskiedskrywing wor dbinne die konteks van die strydende wetenskaplike en narratiewistiese perspektiewe op geskiedkundige kennis geplaas. Die toerikendheid van hierdie twee teoretiese standpunte word in die slothoofstuk ondersoek.
Description
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 1992.
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